Exercise Apparatuses for Leg Strengthening

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 18/540,406, filed Dec. 14, 2023, which application is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

The present disclosure relates to exercise apparatuses for leg strengthening and in non-limiting embodiments for performance of hamstring curl exercises, including but not limited to Nordic hamstring curl exercises.

U.S. Pat. No. 10,786,705 is incorporated herein by reference and discloses an exercise machine for leg strengthening, the exercise machine comprising a stationary frame; and a thigh support member and an ankle support member coupled to the frame and configured to support a user's thigh and ankle, respectively, during a hamstring curl exercise motion. The thigh support member and the ankle support member are each movable with respect to the stationary frame during the hamstring curl exercise motion, thus facilitating contraction and extension of both of a hamstring and glute of the user during the hamstring curl exercise motion.

This Summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts which are further described herein below in the Detailed Description. This Summary is not intended to identify key or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used as an aid in limiting scope of the claimed subject matter.

In non-limiting embodiments disclosed herein, an exercise apparatus is for leg strengthening. The exercise apparatus comprises a frame longitudinally extending from a front to a rear, vertically extending from a top to a bottom, and laterally extending from a first side to a second side, a knee support configured to support a knee of a user relative to the frame, and a leg brace configured to brace a lower leg of the user relative to the frame. A linkage assembly is configured to facilitate performance of a hamstring curl exercise motion in which a chest of the user is lowered and then raised relative to the frame. The linkage assembly comprises a driver arm pivotably coupled to the frame and configured to support the chest of the user, a loaded arm pivotably coupled to the frame above the driver arm, the loaded arm providing or supporting a load, and a connecting arm pivotably coupling the driver arm to the loaded arm so that lowering of the chest during the hamstring curl exercise motion is resisted by the load and so that raising of the chest during the hamstring curl exercise motion is assisted by the load.

In independent embodiments, the driver arm may be coupled to the frame along a driver arm pivot axis and the loaded arm may be coupled to the frame along a loaded arm pivot axis located above the driver arm pivot axis.

In independent embodiments, the loaded arm pivot axis may be located rearwardly of the driver arm pivot axis. In independent embodiments, the connecting arm may be coupled to the driver arm and the loaded arm rearwardly of the driver arm pivot axis.

In independent embodiments, the connecting arm may be coupled to the driver arm along a lower connecting arm pivot axis located rearwardly of the driver arm pivot axis, and the connecting arm may be coupled to the loaded arm along an upper connecting arm pivot axis located rearwardly of the loaded arm pivot axis. In independent embodiments, the loaded arm may comprise an elongated member and a standoff extending upwardly from the elongated member, the upper connecting arm pivot axis extending through the standoff.

In independent embodiments, the driver arm may comprise a front portion extending forwardly of the driver arm pivot axis and may be configured to support the chest of the user and a rear portion extending rearwardly of the driver arm pivot axis and coupled to the loaded arm via the connecting arm. In independent embodiments, the connecting arm may comprise a lower portion coupled to the rear portion of the driver arm and an upper portion coupled to the loaded arm. In independent embodiments, the loaded arm may comprise a forward portion which is pivotably coupled to the frame and a rearward portion providing or supporting the load, wherein the connecting arm is coupled to the loaded arm between the forward portion and the rearward portion of the loaded arm. In independent embodiments, the exercise apparatus may comprise a standoff extending upwardly from the connecting arm, the connecting arm being coupled to the loaded arm via the standoff.

In independent embodiments, the driver arm pivot axis may be located longitudinally in line with the knee support relative to the frame. In independent embodiments, the driver arm pivot axis may be located vertically in-line with the knee support relative to the frame.

In independent embodiments, the knee support may be configured to register the knee of the user longitudinally in line with the driver arm pivot axis. In independent embodiments, the knee support may be configured to register the knee of the user vertically in-line with the driver arm pivot axis. In independent embodiments, the knee support may comprise a groove configured to register the knee on the knee support in line with the driver arm pivot axis.

In independent embodiments, the exercise apparatus may comprise an end stop configured to prevent further lowering of the chest of the user past an end position relative to the frame. In independent embodiments, the end stop may comprise a bumper which is engaged by the driver arm when the chest of the user is lowered to the end position. In independent embodiments, the end stop may be located relative to the driver arm so that the end stop is visible to the user as the chest of the user is lowered to the end position.

In independent embodiments, the exercise apparatus may comprise a chest pad for engaging the chest of the user, the chest pad being supported on the driver arm by an adjustment mechanism that facilitates adjustment of a position of the chest pad relative to the driver arm to accommodate use of the exercise apparatus by different users of different body sizes.

In independent embodiments, the leg brace may be repositionable relative to the frame to accommodate use of the exercise apparatus by different users having different body sizes. In independent embodiments, the leg brace may be coupled to the frame by a weldment which is configured to be secured to the frame in a first orientation accommodating a first body size of the user and a second orientation accommodating a different, second body size of a different user.

In non-limiting embodiments disclosed herein, an exercise apparatus is for leg strengthening. The exercise apparatus comprises a frame longitudinally extending from a front to a rear, vertically extending from a top to a bottom, and laterally extending from a first side to a second side, a knee support configured to support a knee of a user relative to the frame, and a leg brace configured to brace a lower leg of the user relative to the frame. A linkage assembly is configured to facilitate performance of a hamstring curl exercise motion in which a chest of the user is lowered to a lowest position and then raised again relative to the frame. The linkage assembly is configured such that in the lowest position a resulting force applied to the chest of the user corresponds to a ratio of a resistance load provided by the linkage assembly to the resulting force. The linkage assembly comprises a driver arm pivotably coupled to the frame and configured to support the chest of the user and a loaded arm pivotably coupled to the frame above the driver arm. The loaded arm provides or supports a load and being coupled to the driver arm so that lowering of the chest during the hamstring curl exercise motion is resisted by the load and so that raising of the chest during the hamstring curl exercise motion is assisted by the load.

In independent embodiments, the driver arm may be coupled to the frame along a driver arm pivot axis and the loaded arm may be coupled to the frame along a loaded arm pivot axis located above the driver arm pivot axis. In independent embodiments, the loaded arm pivot axis may be located rearwardly of the driver arm pivot axis.

In independent embodiments, the exercise apparatus may comprise a connecting arm pivotably coupling the driver arm to the loaded arm so that lowering of the chest during the hamstring curl exercise motion is resisted by the load and so that raising of the chest during the hamstring curl exercise motion is assisted by the load. In independent embodiments, said driver arm may be coupled to the frame along a driver arm pivot axis and said connecting arm may be coupled to the driver arm and the loaded arm rearwardly of the driver arm pivot axis. In independent embodiments, said driver arm may be coupled to the frame along a driver arm pivot axis, said connecting arm may be coupled to the driver arm along a lower connecting arm pivot axis located rearwardly of the driver arm pivot axis, and said connecting arm may be coupled to the loaded arm along an upper connecting arm pivot axis located rearwardly of the loaded arm pivot axis.

In independent embodiments, said loaded arm may be coupled to the frame along a loaded arm pivot axis and said knee support may be configured to register the knee of the user longitudinally in line with the driver arm pivot axis. In independent embodiments, the knee support may be configured to register the knee of the user at least one of vertically in-line with the driver arm pivot axis and horizontally in-line with the driver arm pivot axis.

In independent embodiments, the exercise apparatus may comprise an end stop configured to prevent further lowering of the chest of the user past an end position relative to the frame.

In independent embodiments, said ratio of the resistance load provided by the linkage assembly to the resulting force may be at least fifty percent. In independent embodiments, said ratio of the resistance load provided by the linkage assembly to the resulting force may be at least eighty percent. In independent embodiments, said resulting force applied to the chest of the user may be substantially equal to the resistance load provided by the linkage assembly.

As used herein, unless otherwise limited or defined, discussion of particular directions is provided by example only, with regard to particular embodiments or relevant illustrations. For example, discussion of “top,” “bottom,” “front,” “rear,” “left,” “right,” “horizontal,” “vertical,” and “longitudinal” features is generally intended as a description only of the orientation of such features relative to a reference frame of a particular example or illustration. Correspondingly, for example, a “top” feature may sometimes be disposed below a “bottom” feature (and so on), in some arrangements or embodiments.

During research and development, the present inventors determined that prior art exercise machines, for example conventional inverse leg curl machines and/or other exercise machines for performing hamstring curl exercise motions, including but not limited to Nordic hamstring curl exercises, are configured for athletic training facilities where a coach or trainer is available to help the user adjust the machine. Due to the abundant adjustability options, the inventors determined that said machines are often not user-friendly to the typical person who does not use a professional athletic facility.

During research and development, the present inventors further determined that prior art inverse leg curl machines often include a direct coupling between a driver arm acted on by the user and a load-bearing arm that supports weights, which results in a user needing to place a relatively large number of weight plates on the load bearing arm. Requiring a large number of weight plates for an exercise machine is time-consuming for the user and resource intensive for the facility. Furthermore, the inventors determined that, when the user is relatively inexperienced with an exercise machine and does not have trainer assistance, the user may misjudge the correct number of weights for the exercise. For this reason, the present inventors determined that more time is consumed as the user adds/removes more weighted plates to determine the correct counterbalance and a level of risk is imposed on the user as loading an insufficient counterbalance can lead to rapid eccentric contraction, muscle injury, and/or falling.

The present inventors thus have realized a need in the art to provide an improved exercise machine that advantageously reduces the amount of weight required to perform a hamstring curl exercise motion, provides intuitive supports and/or braces to assist a user in properly positioning themselves on the machine without assistance, and that prevents over rotation of moving components of the machine that may lead to injury. The present disclosure is a result of these efforts.

illustrate an embodiment of an exercise apparatusthat includes a frameand a novel linkage assemblythat is actuated by a user to perform an exercise motion. In particular, the illustrated linkage assemblyis configured to facilitate performance of a hamstring curl exercise motion in which a chest of the user is lowered and then raised relative to the frame. Some embodiments of an exercise apparatus, however, may include a linkage assemblythat is configured for the performance of a different type of exercise motion. For example, embodiments of the linkage assemblymay be used in a leg press machine, a pendulum squat machine, and/or the like. Additionally or alternatively, the linkage assemblymay be arranged on an exercise machine to resist movement of the user without assisting the user over a portion of an exercise movement.

Referring now tothe frameof the exercise apparatusextends longitudinally from a front endto a rear end, vertically from a top endto a bottom end, and horizontally from a first lateral sideto a second lateral side. Support feetare positioned on the bottom side of the frameand are configured to support the exercise apparatuson the floor, and to prevent the exercise apparatusfrom tipping. The illustrated frameincludes a first frame assemblyand a second frame assemblythat include the first and second lateral sides,, respectively. Each of the frame assemblies,includes at least one vertical frame memberthat extends upwardly from the bottom endof the frameto the top endthereof. As discussed in further detail below, the vertical frame membersare configured to pivotably support the linkage assemblybetween the first frame assemblyand the second frame assembly. The first frame assemblyincludes a knee supportsupported by frame members() above the bottom endof the frameadjacent to the vertical frame membersand the linkage assembly. Additionally, a leg braceis supported on a vertical frame memberof the first frame assemblyabove the knee support. As discussed in further detail below, the knee supportand the leg braceare configured to support and brace a user in the proper position on the framefor performance of the hamstring curl exercise movement. As illustrated in, the second frame assemblyincludes weight storage hornsconfigured to support stored weight plates (not shown) when said weight plates are not in use for performing an exercise motion on the exercise apparatus.

In the illustrated embodiments, the linkage assemblyis configured as a bar linkage that includes a driver arm, a loaded arm, and a connecting armthat operatively links the driver armto the loaded arm. The driver armis pivotably coupled to the frameand configured to support the chest of the user during performance of the exercise motion. The loaded armis pivotably coupled to the frameabove the driver armand is configured to provide and/or support a load. The connecting armpivotably couples the driver armto the loaded armso that the load resists lowering of the user's chest during the hamstring curl exercise motion and assists raising of the user's chest during the hamstring curl exercise motion. Connecting the driver armto the loaded armvia at least one connecting armenables a pivot axisof the loaded armon the frameto be offset (e.g., vertically offset, longitudinally offset, etc.) from a pivot axisof the driver armon the frame. This enables the loaded armto be longer than load-bearing arms of the prior art. As a result, fewer weight plates can be mounted on the loaded armto provide a sufficient counterbalance load for the exercise apparatus.

Referring to, the driver armincludes an elongated memberthat is pivotably coupled to the framealong a driver arm pivot axis, which extends laterally relative to the body of the elongated member. At least one pivot bearing() may be configured to support the driver arm pivot axison the frame. The elongated memberof the driver armincludes a front portionextending forwardly of the driver arm pivot axisto a front endand a rear portionextending rearwardly of the driver arm pivot axisto a rear endopposite the front end. A horizontal support memberextends horizontally outward from the elongated memberand rearward to the driver arm pivot axisto improve the rigidity and stability of the driver armon the frame.

The driver armincludes a chest supportat the front endthereof which is configured to support the chest of the user and be acted on by the user (via the user's chest) during the performance of the exercise motion (see, e.g.,). The chest supportincludes a chest padfor engaging the chest of the user. The driver armfurther includes an adjustment mechanismto support the chest padon the front endand to facilitate the adjustment of a position of the chest padrelative to the driver arm. Thus, the adjustment mechanismaccommodates use of the exercise apparatus by different users of different body sizes. In the illustrated embodiment, the adjustment mechanismincludes an adjustment armthat is pivotably connected to the driver armand supports the chest pad, a selector bracketthat has a plurality of holes and is fixed on the front endof the driver arm, and a selector pin. Pivoting the adjustment armaligns a mounting hole in the adjustment armwith one of the holes in the selector bracket, each of which corresponds to a different selectable position of the chest pad. The selector pincan be manually inserted into the aligned holes to lock the adjustment armin position with respect to the selector bracketand the driver arm, thereby locking the chest padin a desired position. Advantageously, the front portionof the driver armincludes a generally downward bendto orient the adjustment mechanismso that the chest padstays relatively aligned with the driver arm. In other words, the bendcauses an angle of a line of action L() between the driver arm pivot axisand the chest padto remain relatively unchanged as the position of the chest padis changed, as discussed in greater detail below.

With continued reference to, the loaded armincludes an elongated memberthat is pivotably coupled to the framealong a loaded arm pivot axis, which extends laterally relative to the body of the elongated memberand is located above the driver arm pivot axisand rearwardly of the driver arm pivot axison the frame. At least one pivot bearing() may be configured to support the loaded arm pivot axison the frame. The elongated memberof the loaded armincludes a front portionextending forwardly of a standoffto a front endincluding the loaded arm pivot axis. Furthermore, the elongated memberincludes a rear portionextending rearwardly of the standoffto a rear endopposite the front end. Similar to the driver arm, the loaded armincludes a horizontal support memberconfigured to improve the rigidity and stability of the driver armon the frame.

At the rear endof the elongated member, the loaded armincludes at least one of a preload weightand a weight horn() configured to support an additional load in the form of attachable weight plates(). The preload weight(s)are configured to provide a load which counteracts the weight of the driver armto balance the linkage assembly. The weight platesmay be mounted on the weight hornand secured thereon by a pin. The loads provided by the preload weight(s)and weight platesmounted on the weight hornare configured to provide the loads that resist the lowering of the user's chest and assist the raising of the user's chest during the hamstring curl exercise motion.

As previously mentioned, the linkage assemblyincludes a connecting armthat operatively couples the driver armto the loaded arm. In particular, the illustrated connecting armis pivotably coupled to the driver armand to the loaded armso that lowering of the user's chest during the hamstring curl exercise motion is resisted by the load(s) on the loaded arm, and so that raising of the user's chest during the hamstring curl exercise motion is assisted by said load(s).

Referring to, the connecting armincludes an elongated memberthat extends between a lower endand an upper end. A lower portionof the connecting armis pivotably coupled to the driver armalong a lower connecting arm pivot axis, which is located at the lower endof the connecting armand rearwardly of the driver arm pivot axisat the rear endof the driver arm. An upper portionof the connecting armis coupled to the loaded armalong an upper connecting arm pivot axis, which is located rearwardly of the loaded arm pivot axisbetween the forward portionand the rear portionof the loaded arm. At least one pivot bearing() may be configured to support the lower and/or upper connecting arm pivot axis,on the driver armand/or the loaded arm, respectively.

In the illustrated embodiments, the upper connecting arm pivot axisextends through the standoffon the loaded arm. The standoffextends upwardly from the elongated memberof the loaded armsuch that the upper connecting arm pivot axisis spaced apart from the loaded arm. Advantageously, the connection of the connecting armand the loaded armvia the standoffprevents the linkage assemblyfrom binding during the exercise motion, thereby reducing undesirable jerking and uneven changes in the force applied to the user's chest during the exercise motion. In the illustrated embodiments, the standoffis oriented substantially perpendicular or normal to the elongated memberof the loaded arm. However, in other embodiments, the standoffcan extend from the elongated memberof the loaded armat an angle such as 30 degrees, 45 degrees, 60 degrees, etc.

Referring to, during research and experimentation, the inventors determined that the dimensions of the driver arm, the loaded arm, and the connecting armand/or the locations of their respective pivot axes,,,may be sized/located to adjust the ratio of a resistance load Fprovided by the linkage assembly(e.g., via the load(s) on the loaded arm) and a resulting force Fapplied to the chest of the user. In particular, the inventors determined, for example through use of a conventional system of mathematical equations balancing the resistance load Fapplied by the mass of the load(s) on the loaded arm, a moment Mof the loaded armabout the loaded arm pivot axis, a force Ftransmitted between the loaded armand the driver armvia the connecting arm, a moment Mof the driver armabout the driver arm pivot axis, and the resulting force Fapplied to the chest of the user is a function of the lengths of various segments of the driver arm, the loaded arm, and the connecting arm, and the relative locations and lengths of lines of action L, L, L, Lbetween the various pivot axes,,,.

In the illustrated embodiment, the inventors determined that the resulting force Fapplied to the chest of the user due to the resistance load Fis a function of the line of action Lbetween the chest supportand the driver arm pivot axis; a line of action Lbetween the driver arm pivot axisand the lower connecting arm pivot axis; a line of action Lbetween the upper connecting arm pivot axisand the loaded arm pivot axis; and a line of action Lbetween the loaded arm pivot axisand a center of gravity of the load(s) supported on or provided by the loaded arm. Thus, the resulting force Fmay be calculated using the equation F=F(L/L)/(L/L), and the ratio (R) of the resulting force Fto the resistance load Fis calculatable using R=(L/L)/(L/L).

Advantageously, the exercise apparatusmay be configured to achieve a desired ratio of the resistance load Fand the resulting force Fapplied to the user by the linkage assemblyby dimensioning the driver arm, the loaded arm, and/or the connecting armand/or positioning their respective pivot axes,,,on the frame based on a calculation of the ratio R. In the illustrated embodiment of, the linkage assemblyis configured such that the resistance load Fprovided by the linkage assemblyis substantially equal to the resulting force Fapplied to the chest of the user when the linkage assemblyis in its lowest position (). This may be useful, for example, to reduce the number and/or weight(s) of any weight plate(s)which must be mounted on the loaded armto achieve a desire resulting force F.

Additionally or alternatively, embodiments of the exercise apparatusmay be configured to provide a different ratio Rbetween the resistance load Fand the resulting force F. In some embodiments, the exercise apparatusmay be configured to provide a ratio Rof the resistance load Fto the resulting force Fthat is less than 1:1. For example, an exercise apparatusmay be configured such that the ratio Rof the resistance load Fto the resulting force Fis approximately 0.80 in the lowest position of the linkage assembly(i.e., such that the resulting force Fis approximately 80% of the resistance load F). This may be useful, for example, so that a user can adjust the desired resulting force Fwith more granularity with a standard set of weight plates. Additionally or alternatively, the exercise apparatusmay be configured to provide a ratio Rthat is more than 4:5 (i.e., R>0.8) or less than 4:5 (i.e., R<0.8). In some embodiments, the value of the ratio Rmay be equal to or between 0.5 and 1.0, e.g., 0.5, 0.55, 0.6, 0.65, 0.7, 0.75, 0.8, 0.85, 0.9, 0.95, 0.1, and any other ratio between the enumerated ratios. Further still, some embodiments of the exercise apparatusmay be configured to provide a ratio Rthat is less than 1:2 (i.e., R<0.5).

As previously mentioned, the exercise apparatusincludes a knee supportand a leg bracethat are positioned on the frame and configured to support and brace a user in the proper position relative to the frameand the linkage assemblyfor the user to perform a hamstring curl exercise motion.

Referring to, the knee supportis positioned on the first frame assemblyadjacent to the vertical frame membersand extends horizontally from the vertical frame membersto the first lateral sideof the frame. The illustrated knee supportincludes two knee padspositioned longitudinally adjacent relative to each other. A locating grooveis defined between the knee pads. The knee supportis positioned on the framesuch that the driver arm pivot axisis located longitudinally in-line with the locating groove(see, e.g.,) and vertically in-line with the locating groove(see, e.g.,). When performing the exercise motion, the locating grooveis configured to receive the knee of the user, thereby registering the user's knee on the knee supportin-line with the driver arm pivot axis. As illustrated in, the locating grooveis configured to register the knee of the user vertically and longitudinally in-line with the driver arm pivot axis. Advantageously, registration of the user's knee in-line with the driver arm pivot axiswith the knee pad enables the user to properly position themselves on the exercise apparatuswithout relying on assistance from a trainer, thereby helping to ensure safe, proper performance of the hamstring curl exercise motion.

With continued reference to, the leg braceis mounted on a vertical memberof the first frame assemblyand extends horizontally therefrom above the knee support. The leg braceincludes a leg padconfigured to be engaged by the legs of a user to brace the user relative to the frameand the knee support, thereby helping to retain the knee of the user in the locating groove. In the illustrated embodiments, the leg braceis configured as a repositionable leg bracewhich may be repositioned relative to the frameto accommodate use of the exercise apparatusby different users having different body sizes. A weldmentcouples the leg bracethe frame and is movable between at least two orientations, including the orientation shown and an opposite orientation rotated 180 degrees. Each orientation of the weldmentand the leg padaccommodates a different body size of different users.

Referring to, a user can perform the hamstring curl exercise motion by positioning themselves on the exercise apparatuswhile the linkage assemblyis in a raised position (). To prevent the linkage assemblyfrom pivoting past the raised position (e.g., the maximum raised position, the start position, etc.), a loaded arm stop() is positioned on the frameand is configured to abut the weight hornto prevent over rotation of the loaded arm. When positioned on the exercise apparatus, the knee of the user is registered in the locating grooveof the knee supportsuch that the user's knee is in-line with the driver arm pivot axis. As a result, the body of the user will pivot about an axis that is substantially in-line with the driver arm pivot axis, thereby improving the hamstring curl exercise motion to correctly target the corresponding muscle(s) of the user and preventing inefficient exercise motion, improper form, and/or reducing the risk of user injury. For example, when the user places their knee at the locating grooveof the knee support, the chest supportcontacts relatively the same spot on the chest of the user during the hamstring curl exercise motion, which improves the efficiency of the exercise motion.

When the user begins the hamstring curl exercise motion, the linkage assemblyis in raised position (), and therefore the resulting force Fexerted on the user is at a minimum. As the user continues to lower their body by pivoting about their knees, linkage assemblyis moved through intermediate positions () as the driver armis forced downward and pivots about the driver arm pivot axisand the loaded armpivots upwards about the loaded arm pivot axis. As the driver armand the loaded armpivot towards the lowered position (), the orientations of the driver and pivot arms,move closer to a horizontal orientation relative to the ground. Thus, the angle between the lines of action L, L, L, L() of the driver and pivot arms,and the vertically oriented resistance load Fand the resulting force Fapproaches ninety degrees, thereby increasing the magnitude of the resulting force Ffelt by a user. Thus, the resistance to the exercise motion increases as the chest of the user lowers, advantageously increasing the resulting force Fas the user performs a first portion (e.g., a lowering portion) of the exercise motion. Additionally, the variability of the resulting force Fallows the linkage assemblyto provide a maximum force to assist the user in raising their chest when the linkage assemblyis in its lowest position (), which is when the user requires the greatest amount of assistance. Furthermore, the linkage assemblycauses the assisting resulting force Fto decrease as the user performs a second portion (e.g., a raising portion) of the exercise motion, which is when the user requires less assistance.

To prevent the linkage assemblyfrom moving past the desired end position illustrated in(i.e., lowest position), the exercise apparatusincludes an end stop() positioned on the frameproximate the front endthereof. The end stopincludes a bumper() configured to be engaged by the driver armwhen the chest of the user is lowered to the end position of the exercise motion. Advantageously, the end stopis located relative to the driver armso that the end stopis visible to the user as the chest of the user is lowered to the end position, thereby preventing the user from experiencing a sudden, unexpected stop at the end position to reduce and/or eliminate the risk of injury to the user.

In the present description, certain terms have been used for brevity, clarity, and understanding. No unnecessary limitations are to be implied therefrom beyond the requirement of the prior art because such terms are used for descriptive purposes only and are intended to be broadly construed. The different apparatuses described herein may be used alone or in combination with other apparatuses. Various equivalents, alternatives and modifications are possible within the scope of the appended claims.